I stopped at a local grocery chain Thursday to get a meal at the deli. I noticed no customers had

[doc03]

masks other than myself and few employees did either. I decided that was the last trip there, I would go to Kroger from now on.
Kroger seemed to be making an effort to protect people. So today I stopped at Kroger for the first time in about a week. Today
I was the only customer that was wearing a mask. I probably saw a dozen employees one of them stocking shelves had a mask
and I saw two baggers with them. It is either people can't get them or they are listening to Faux News and think it is a hoax yet.
I go out to my car and used hand sanitizer. Then when I got home I washed my hands and used hand sanitizer again. But I am thinking
every package I bought could be contaminated. A couple weeks ago most everyone was being careful but they sure as hell aren't now.

[pdxflyboy]

1. If I may ask...

What part of the US do you live in, doc03?

[doc03]

6. Eastern Ohio Trump country nt

[Ohiogal]

40. NE Ohio here

Was in Walmart Thursday and I saw about half the customers and just about all the employees wearing masks. I think it varies greatly from store to store.

[lagomorph777]

67. I've visited two different locations of a regional grocery chain, about 10 minutes apart.

Huge difference in the number of masks on both employees and shoppers. I don't know why - will not revisit the lax one again though!

And I would immediately exit a store that is still operating a deli counter! YIKES!

[Ohiogal]

70. It's strange.

After the Walmart visit, we stopped at a small hardware store, Mr. O went inside while I waited in the car. He wore his homemade mask. As I sat there waiting, I observed at least a dozen guys park and enter the store, not one mask or even a bandanna on any of them. And I saw not one mask on anyone exiting the store in that time. ??

[ConnorMarc]

71. This is the most important and relevant question here

To see if the local's partisanship is informing their real-life decisions.

And as I expected, it is.

[katmondoo]

2. I wonder what happened last week to cause people to be so careless.

[Tracer]

3. Don't know where you are but

yesterday at my grocery, EVERYONE had on masks, including the checkout people. Floors were marked with one-way arrows and people were waiting in the aisles, marked with 6' spacers, to check out when called. There was even a rope line outside to keep too many people from entering the store --- although when I was there, it wasn't needed.

[Freddie]

4. Went to grocery store yesterday

MOST people (including me) wore masks. One door in, one door out. All employees wore masks, a couple even wore plastic face shields.

[Butterflylady]

24. Same here,

The deli was closed, the salad bar, self serve fried chicken and tapped arrows on the floor. You had get in line for check out that was roped off. Masks were on every employee. An employee was wiping down every cart with sanitizer and than given to the shopper. They are really trying.

[enough]

36. Where? NT

[LizBeth]

5. I would love to be able to wear a mask, but I do not have a clue where I get one. I am not going

Last edited Sun Apr 12, 2020, 04:40 PM - Edit history (1)

to a store to buy one. And I do not have a scarf that would be an easy wrap around. If I had one, I would wear it. I see probably a third wear masks on there walks. We have lots out for walks. I really do not see any reason to wear one when I am out for my walks. But, I would really like one if I have to run to a convenient store. I have groceries delivered, so that would be about the only place I would go.

[doc03]

10. Well I only have two one in each car but what good are they once they have

been used?

[LizBeth]

12. Virus stays on clothe only so long. Not nearly as long as plastic or such. so they stay in the car

and you go out every four, five, six days. I figure you are good. Also it protects others from your breathe. Regardless. Also, I believe that the higher dosage of virus consumed more chance of getting and worse. I think taking all the precautions lowers risk and that is a good call.

[Igel]

63. Heat helps degrade the virus.

Nobody knows the temperature at which all the virus are dead in a fraction of a second, but in general higher T means shorter half-life. Get the half-life down to a minute or two, and you're home clear in 30 minutes. Think of a virion as a little bundle of chemicals that have to be all intact and in the right shape to work. And they're not just real stable. At room temperature they gradually break or deform. At higher temperatures, it's faster.

Refrigeration extends the viability of a virus sample. Heat increases it. I want something sterilized, I leave it in the car in the sun. Does it for sure hit the drop-dead temperature? No. But it's a lot hotter in the car and the virions degrade more quickly.

Don't do this with food. Of course. But it's a pretty safe bet it's okay for things like face masks, even if you reuse them in an hour.

[LizBeth]

64. I was thinking this too. Thanks.

[forgotmylogin]

80. Don't microwave!

I know they recommend it with dish-towels. But I looked it up:

Officials said you should wash your masks instead with warm water and antibacterial soap and a small amount of bleach which will disinfect your masks.

[Marrah_Goodman]

73. Handwash the cloth mask after each use with hot soapy water very well

[cwydro]

11. Very easy to make one without sewing.

numerous videos on YouTube.

I made from from a bandanna in seconds. If I can do it, anyone can.

I don’t wear them on my walks because I take my dogs miles from anyone. But I do in the stores.

[LizBeth]

13. Bandanna is what I was thinking. I do not have one. I do not have material. I am thinking I can

cut up a tshirt, but that would be about it. No strings, no elastic. I live pretty minimally.

[sheshe2]

20. Try this link.

Just a bandana and elastics.

https://diyjoy.com/how-to-make-a-bandana-face-mask-no-sewing-required/

Sanjay Gupta actually demonstrated this last night on CNN.

[LizBeth]

27. I do not have a bandanna. I use to have a really cool one I would love to use, but lost it along

way. Down below is a video with a sock. I am so going to do that. AND I have fun neon colored socks, so I will be cool while sporting a sock on my face, lol.

[sheshe2]

30. Sounds like a plan, LizBeth.

[lagomorph777]

68. Saw a video to make one from a paper towel and two rubber bands in about 30 seconds.

Accordian-fold the paper towel, staple a rubber band to each end, then unfurl it. Voila!

[soldierant]

92. Does anyone have cotton dish towels any more?

They aren't quite the same size as a bandana, which IIRC is about 22" x 22", but it's thie finished size that matters.

[csziggy]

35. You can make ties from tee shirt cloth and also make the mask from it, too.

[cwydro]

38. Hair ties - available at any Dollar Store. Use the larger ones, two and you have a mask with a cloth

Also a Scrunci hair band works in a pinch as a mask.

Bandannas are very cheap.

[forgotmylogin]

81. Cut a 6-8 inch from the bottom of an old tee shirt. (CDC website no-sew mask)

Wrap around your head and tie, or cut rectangles out if you want narrower tie strips.

This mask mainly holds your own germs in and helps you remember not to touch your face in public, but it's better than nothing.







https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

[TomSlick]

17. Video instruction for making a mask from a sock attached.

I've tried this - it works. My recommendation is to use a coffee filter instead of paper towels for additional filtering.

[link:

|

[LizBeth]

26. This one. I can do this. His feet are bigger though. My socks are half the size.

But I am going to give this a try. Thank you. I really have been sitting around to figure out how to do it.

[customerserviceguy]

29. Nothing quite like

a sock in the nose!

[lagomorph777]

69. I recommend washing the sock first.

I forgot that step.

[jmbar2]

19. Where do you live LizBeth?

There are a number of groups that are making masks in most cities now. If you are near a JoAnn's fabric store, they are also making and giving away masks.

Let me know where you are and I'll try to help you get a mask, or send you one that I made.

[LizBeth]

23. That is a good idea. I can google that. Very blue progressive oregon.

So I have a good chance with something like this. I will google. Thanks.

[jmbar2]

25. I'm in Newport

If you need help getting a mask, send me a DU email and I'll get you one. We are all in this together.

[LizBeth]

28. Really? How cool is that. Totally, cool. I was going to head there as soon as the weather

got nice. I am new'ish to the state and have been there only once and didn't spend much time. I wanted to explore it a little more. I hear it is a fun town. Very cool.

There is a video of sock. I can easily do that one. Thanks though. You are so nice.

My boys and I both decided people in Oregon are the nicest, ever.... And since being here, I hear others say the same when they come here for a visit.

[customerserviceguy]

31. Northwesterners are very nice folks

I lived in WA for thirty-seven years, and I still get back there once or twice a year. Glad you're enjoying Oregon!

[LizBeth]

43. I am a lotta bit odd.

My son likes Seattle but he is more normal. He says I would "put off" or scare Washington people, lol. Oregon oddity is more kin. And thank you. Washington is a wonderful state. I am blessed.

[jmbar2]

34. Wait til the pandemic is over

The whole coast pulled up the welcome mat after getting overrun with spring break idiots exposing us to covid from the big cities.

By the time things reopen, it will be whale watching season. I highly recommend stopping by a roadside park just north of Depoe Bay called Boiler Bay. It is a beautiful little picnic park with excellent views of the whales. One of my favorite places to spend an afternoon.

Right now, all the parks and even roadside pullouts are roped off.

Take care of yourself, and see ya in a the summer.

[LizBeth]

42. Sounds like a plan. Thank you so much.

[CrispyQ]

33. etsy.com has homemade face masks for sell and

there are a ton of videos for how to make one yourself, if you're inclined.

[blue cat]

39. Try Etsy.com

[durablend]

46. Hope you don't need it anytime soon

Most of them say several weeks ship time

[Mossfern]

47. You can order masks

from Walmart on line. We've been using improvised masks, but I wanted something that was more substantial. There are no Walmarts near me, so today I ordered a few washable ones from them on line. It will take about ten days until they're delivered. If you have any high thread count sheets or pillowcases, you can cut them to size and use the directions on line for no sew bandana face masks.
Even if your linens aren't that high a thread count, it will work. Yes, I have cannibalized a pillow protector so my husband can do the supermarket run if we need it.

[LizBeth]

49. I do have these in the house. Thanks.

[catbyte]

57. Hilo Hattie is still selling assorted washable masks. I ordered a couple last week & should get them

in a couple of days. They're $11.49 each and washable.

https://www.hilohattie.com/products/copy-of-hawaii-snack-fashion-face-mask-1?_pos=1&_sid=2bce2b741&_ss=r

[Igel]

62. Three options.

1 sew, 1 cut but no sew, 1 no cut and no sew

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf

[Lucinda]

65. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

This has sew and no sew versions

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

[Marrah_Goodman]

74. You can order some neat ones here

https://twitterati.cards/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=82

[left-of-center2012]

82. I bought 6 on eBay

Cost me $24 and they can be washed and reused.
They are now sold out.

[PennyK]

91. You can easily make on from a pillowcase or a Tshirt

Just Google.

[hermetic]

7. From a video

I saw here recently. Wipe down all of your purchases with a disinfecting wipe as you remove them from bags. Put bags somewhere they won't be touched for a week or more. Wipe off table where bags were sitting. You just keep on doing the right thing. We will win, in the end.

[Chiyo-chichi]

54. My family has been doing this for weeks. We saw the same video, but we were already doing it.

Part of the challenge has been finding disinfectant wipes and spray. Thankfully, we have plenty for now.
My son is a grocery-cleaning machine.
Strange times when you have to Lysol the Clorox wipes!
...but this will probably become the new normal for us.

[madaboutharry]

8. I having been wiping down all my groceries

with disinfectant. I wipe all the boxes and cans and any kind of package with a Clorox wipe. All the produce gets washed in dish soap and hot
water.

It might sound crazy, but Dr. Sanjay Gupta strongly encourages it as well.

[SoCalNative]

84. Dish soap

should not be used for cleaning produce:

The FDA and USDA say you should not wash produce with soap; a peer-reviewed publication from UC Davis explains that antibacterial soap and dish detergent residues can remain on the produce. Fruits and vegetables are porous and those microscopic pores can absorb the residues, which are not for human consumption.

https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-04-08/coronavirus-food-safety-tip-dont-wash-your-produce-with-soap

[madaboutharry]

87. Ok.

I just used a drop and rinsed it super well. I won’t do it again. Thanks.

[Demovictory9]

9. in California... almost every employee and customer had a mask last time I visited

3 days ago

[TruckFump]

37. LA County.

Most all who are out and about are wearing masks. Grocery stores are really doing a good job. One of the best around here is Food 4 Less.

[LAS14]

14. What part of the country are you in?

Outside of Boston Trader Joe's is absolutely terrific. Star/Shaws is almost as good but doesn't limit number of people in the store. Stop and Shop is awful. Many employees don't wear masks, it's "up to them." They don't have seniors-only hours. The only 6 ft markers are inside the checkout area.

[doc03]

16. I am in eastern Ohio where people think Trump is the second coming nt

[LAS14]

18. My sincere condolences. nt

[cwydro]

50. I'm in a red county in NC.

I haven’t been to the store since last week, and I wasn’t impressed with the shoppers. Not keeping distance, and about half with masks.

But the stores have shields, distancing rules at the registers, and cleaners for the carts.

Of course, a friend told me of her shopping trip where she was impressed the cashier was wearing gloves - until she saw him wipe his nose twice. Gah.

[Green Line]

41. Stop and Shop is awful, they have senior hours but they don't enforce it

My town on the North Shore and the neighboring town where I do most of my shopping have made masks mandatory for customers and workers.

[LiberalArkie]

15. Every package you bought should be wiped down with a bleach solution or rubbing alcohol before

the items are put up.

[cwydro]

48. Even in the link you provide, Gupta says that's not the case.

ANY cleaner.

[LiberalArkie]

52. I ran out of, lysol and the normal stuff and researched it and the chlorine and alcohol based

stuff was said to kill instantly and to leave the soap based stuff wet for a few minutes. I always go for overkill, that is just me.

[cwydro]

60. That's fine.

We all should do what makes us feel safe.

[LiberalArkie]

61. I stock up on that stuff in October before cold and flu season hits. I need to double up once

the stores ha ve stock again. I noticed that the grocery store was out of frozen dinners now Pot pies were my goto food along wit the big jars of peanut butter. Oh well ya live and ya learn.

I don't want to die until I see how all this turns out.

[jmbar2]

22. I didn't see anyone wearing masks in FredMeyer yesterday (Kroger-owned store)

I'm in a small town that hasn't had any known cases yet. People have gotten complacent. If it does hit here, we don't have the medical facilities to handle it.

I had cash in my cookie jar from before the virus. Took some out and put it in a baggy to run an errand yesterday. I was fully masked and asked the clerk to put my change in the same baggy. Goes back into the cookie jar where I will forget about it for several months.

I also set up a handwashing station in my car. Use it everytime before I enter my vehicle, and after leaving the store. And do the grocery cleaning as well.

My sis is a nurse. I think of her always when I am doing this.

[nilram]

56. About 50/50 at a Freddy's in the Portland burbs.

Or maybe better, but I’ve decided I’m going to find a drive through pharmacy and do more ordering online, whether for pick up or delivery.

I occasionally sanitize my car but generally treat it as a contaminated area and do the hand washing after I use it.

[tavernier]

32. Our grocery stores in the Keys won't let you in without a mask.

[ecstatic]

44. A lot of masks and a lot of people out

Not sure if this situation is any better. People seem to be taking the 6ft standard seriously though, so that's good.

[stillcool]

45. things are going in the right direction..

around these parts. Old geezers, and young whipper-snappers are the hold-outs. Everyone else is with the program.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. Don't freak out too much about packages:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/26/dont-panic-about-shopping-getting-delivery-or-accepting-packages/

[doc03]

55. That makes me feel better about shopping. I

am going to try going on the hours they set up for seniors from now on too.

[Vinca]

53. The deli at our store is closed for the duration, as are the open features like the salad bar,

a hot display of wings and onion rings and another one devoted to different kinds of olives. They do provide another case of prepackaged meats and cheeses from the deli, but no salads or rotisserie chickens. They've got plexiglass barriers between customers and cashiers, but it doesn't appear there is a hard and fast order about masks and gloves. Some wear them, some don't. Most of the customers are at least wearing masks and they do provide hand sanitizer and stuff to wipe the carts with. They've discontinued the previously required use (town mandate) of reusable bags in favor of paper bags. Overall, I feel pretty safe there. People are keeping there distance and I haven't encountered anyone who looks or sounds ill anywhere.

[lagomorph777]

88. If I saw an operating deli, I'd run from the store.

NOBODY should be operating a deli counter, and just getting near one sounds scary as hell to me.

[Turbineguy]

58. The Safeway where I live

has controlled access and a helper in a special shirt, disinfecting shopping carts. Mostly workers are wearing masks and gloves. The Manager told me they are "selling lots of groceries". Shelves seem to be well stocked.

[qwlauren35]

59. I am in Maryland.

I went shopping today and it was about 50-50.

I think stores should hand them out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

66. More good advice about shopping and disinfecting:

Many shoppers are now following elaborate routines to disinfect their groceries, thanks to a viral video put out by a Michigan family doctor. But all of the experts we spoke with say that disinfecting and hand-washing every last item in your grocery haul is really not necessary. You might find it comforting to know that none of these experts are doing this themselves.

Rasmussen explains that the probability of getting infected from a contaminated surface is not zero, but it is fairly low. That's because respiratory droplets would have to have landed on the exact spot on, say, a box of cereal that you are touching. And even then, you'd have to get enough residual virus on your hand to start an infection — and you'd have to transfer that virus to your face. Bottom line: If you follow good hand-hygiene practices — washing your hands after unpacking your groceries, before cooking and before eating — then, she says, your risk is probably "very, very low."

As Aronoff notes, "Time is really on your side here." That's because as soon as the virus lands on a surface, it starts to lose infectiousness. "After 24 hours, the vast majority of virus is no longer infectious," he says. And after 72 hours, he notes that research has found the virus is trace or undetectable on most surfaces. So if you know that you're not going to use a can of soup for two or three days, he says, just put it away, wash your hands and go about your day. And one more thing: Make sure to wipe down your countertops after you unpack.

If you're still worried and it's a food that doesn't need to be refrigerated, Graham says just leave it out for 24 hours.

Much more here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/12/832269202/no-you-dont-need-to-disinfect-your-groceries-but-here-s-to-shop-safely

[cwydro]

78. This.

[dalton99a]

85. +1. Wash your hands after unpacking your groceries, before cooking and before eating

and before picking your nose and rubbing your eyes

[niyad]

72. I was at my King sooper's (Kroeger) today, and every employe and customer I saw had masks,

All employees had gloves, as did many customers. Of course, I am in the sane area of fundieville, so could not say what the rwnj's side of town is doing,

[DENVERPOPS]

93. I just switched to shopping at King Supers forever

After going to a Safeway in the same neighborhood and not one single employee in the entire store was wearing a mask.......not one.......

Did they not care, were the employees politically acting out, or is the owner Albertson's cost cutting and not supplying them? After all the cost cutting I have noticed in that Safeway store since Albertsons has taken over, I would suspect Albertson's cost cutting............

[niyad]

94. Have not been fond of safeway since steve bird was ceo. Have NEVER liked albertson's

(Lists I saw decades ago showed them connected to lds). Since they merged, I have noticed prices rising sharply, and all the worst of albertson's is now at safeway. I always found it interesting that employees of the safeway in my neighborhood shopped at my King Sooper's.

[DENVERPOPS]

95. It has been fascinating to watch as

an ex corporate executive.

Albertson's buys Safeway because Safeway is doing better than Albertson's.

Then Albertsons runs wild, re-doing Safeway to their Albertson's models, rather than re-doing Alberson's to how Safeway was doing business more profitably

I find it hysterical, and so indicative of many of our Corporations at this time.

A senior pilot with United thirty years ago told me that every time a new CEO takes over at an airline, the first thing he has done is an entire new color scheme and logo to show HE is in charge now. He described what was entailed in the paint stripping and repainting of just ONE plane and the cost. Plus all their printed materials, signs, etc etc etc had to be re done.......He said no wonder the airlines were always going broke......
He felt American was the smartest airline for having the aluminum, without paint, and only their company name painted on......He told me that not only was it cost efficient compared to the paint costs on other aircraft, but that the paint added HUNDREDS of pounds to the aircraft's weight, and that American was able to increase their freight because of not adding that paint weight, which in turn increased their profits!!!!! LOL

[Mr. Ected]

75. I'm in rural northeast Georgia, Trump Country to be sure

And maybe 1/3 of the customers are wearing masks and none of the cashiers or baggers. None. I've been to 3 local grocery stores.

[lagomorph777]

76. What were you thinking? Why would you eat at a deli counter?

YIKES! I would leave a store that has an open deli counter.

[obamanut2012]

79. Same -- ours have been closed for several weeks now

They still have the chickens available to grab and take, and some pre-made stuff, but the counter is NOT open, not at any grocery store, Target, etc.

[Codeine]

77. I'm in and out of a dozen grocery stores a day

for work and here in Southern California everyone is wearing a face covering of some variety. Stores won’t let customers enter without one, and all employees are wearing them.

[lagomorph777]

89. Which helps explain why CA is doing relatively well at controlling the spread.

[KentuckyWoman]

83. I took 120 homemade masks to my Kroger north of Cincinnati

They are working gobs of overtime, juggling family. Scared as much as anyone else if not more so. The gratitude was enormous. One cashier cried.

I don't mean to sound dramatic. I'm just saying if anyone who reads this can sew and can take some to your local grocery... please do so. The efforts won't be wasted.

[hobby10113]

86. Local Albertson's Market In ABQ

For the most part its random some people are wearing masks while others are not. I was coming out of an aisle when I can only assume was a MAGAT was coming around the corner into aisle I was in. I apologized for almost running into her with my cart and she looked at me and said "If you haven't caught it by now you are not going to libtard". Of course she was not wearing a mask. It caught me off guard and didn't have a good comeback for her, but my fear is that its people like her that's going to get us all sick.

[SWBTATTReg]

90. I felt the same way when I shopped at Aldi's, and then Schucks here in STLMO. Aldi's I was ...

very nervous about and it was a wasted trip when I went there. Had nothing. Nor did I see any protective measures for shoppers. I guess being too cheap to care about your workers and shoppers doesn't get talked about too much in your CEO boardroom, I can tell.

Schuck's on the other hand had everything. Protective measures, Groceries, Everything. When I walked in, they handed me a cleaned cart (wearing gloves all the while).

I know where I am going to continue to shop at now. No debate.

Schuck's, here I come.

Screw Aldi's. You've seen the last of me. P.S. I noticed that Aldi's obviously has seen the 'light' being that they've been trying to stay ahead of the negative press that they've been getting. It's too late. Too little, too late.

[extvbroadcaster]

96. More masks at wal-mart

When I went to Kroger 3 weeks ago I was the only one with a mask. When I stopped by wal mart a week ago I saw about 25% of people wearing masks including wal-mart employees. I want to go to places with self scan so I can avoid interacting with a human cashier. Same thing, if if it non perishable it stays in the garage a few days. If it goes in the fridge, I wipe it down first. Then hand wash of course.